ACEA warns of two-track Europe for e-mobility 

Brussels – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has warned of a  “completely unbalanced” spread in the distribution of charging points for electric cars across the EU.

In a new analysis, ACEA found that 70% of all EU charging stations are concentrated in just three countries in western Europe: the Netherlands (66,665), France (45,751) and Germany (44,538).

These countries, it noted, make up just 23% of the EU’s total surface area, with the other 30% of infrastructure scattered throughout the remaining 77% of the region.

For example, according to the ACEA, Romania – roughly six times bigger than the Netherlands – counts only 493 charging points, or 0.2% of the EU total.

This two-track infrastructure roll-out is developing along the dividing lines between richer EU member states in western Europe and countries with a lower GDP in eastern, central and southern Europe. 

“Countries with a sizeable land mass but a lower GDP, such as Poland (0.8% of EU chargers) and Spain (3.3%), seem to be left behind,” added an ACEA release issued 29 June.

With the European Commission set to review its ‘Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Directive,’, ACEA is calling for binding targets for both EV charging points and hydrogen stations for fuel cell cars – for each EU member state.

“Anyone who wants to buy an electric or fuel cell car depends on having reliable charging or refuelling infrastructure,” stated Eric-Mark Huitema director general of the ACEA. 

“The time has come for governments across Europe to pick up speed in the race to greener mobility,” added Huitema.

Based on Commission calculations, a further decrease of car CO2 emissions to -50% in 2030 would require some 6 million publicly-available charging points. 

“With less than 225,000 available today, that translates into a staggering 27-fold increase in less than a decade,” concluded the ACEA.